Gay name change bill Advances in CA

Gay Name Change Bill Advances In Calif.
by http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/05/050707names.htm
Newscenter Staff

Posted: May 7, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET

(Sacramento, California) The California Assembly on Monday passed legislation that would give all married spouses and domestic partners, regardless of their gender, equal opportunity to change their family name when they marry or register as domestic partners.

Lawmakers approved the Name Equality Act 45-20 along party lines.

State law makes it difficult for a husband to take his wife's last name upon marriage, forcing couples to request a name change in court. Similarly, domestic partners have faced costly and lengthy court proceedings in order to change their last names after registering with the state, said Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco).

Ma said the bill would remove gender bias from both marriage and domestic partnership applications, allowing each spouse or partner, regardless of their gender, the same opportunity to select a new name.

The legislation is supported by Equality California -the state's larges LGBT civil rights organization - and the three California affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"No couple should have to go through an expensive and time-consuming court process in order to have their family name legally recognized and honored," said Equality California Executive Director Geoff Kors.

Seven states, including Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, and North Dakota currently recognize a husband's right to take his wife's last name upon marriage. While Massachusetts allows same-sex couples who are legally married to change their surnames, California would become the first state to allow domestic partners to change their names if the proposed bill becomes law.

"AB 102 is about equality, flexibility and getting with the times," said Assemblymember Ma.

"Couples should not be penalized for being in love or wanting to be in a committed, loving relationship."